Which Human Foods Are Safe For Bearded Dragons?

If you’ve ever caught your bearded dragon eyeing your plate, you might wonder—can they eat the same foods we do? While their primary diet consists of insects and veggies, there are a few human foods that can safely make it onto their menu.

But not all human snacks are safe for your scaly friend.

Let’s explore which everyday foods are a yes, and which ones are a dangerous no.

What Do Bearded Dragons Eat?

Bearded dragons are fascinating reptiles, and their diet is pretty varied. They’re omnivores, so they eat both plant-based foods and animal-based foods. The balance between the two depends on their age, with younger dragons eating more protein and older ones eating more greens.

Here’s a breakdown of what they typically eat:

1. Insects

Bearded dragons love live insects. They’re high in protein, which is crucial for their growth, especially when they’re young. Some common insects include:

• Crickets
• Dubia roaches
• Mealworms (in moderation)
• Superworms (for adult dragons)

It’s important to gut-load (feed the insects nutritious foods) before feeding them to your dragon, and dust them with calcium powder.

2. Vegetables

As they get older, veggies become a bigger part of their diet. Some great veggies include:

• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Kale
• Squash
• Bell peppers

Leafy greens are especially important, but avoid spinach and lettuce since they don’t have much nutritional value.

Hungry for knowledge about Bearded Dragon? We’ve got you covered in this article. Top 10 Foods Your Bearded Dragon Will Love – Plus Surprising Treats!

3. Fruits

Fruits should only be an occasional treat because they contain a lot of sugar. Some safe fruits are:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Apples
• Mangoes

4. Supplements

Calcium is essential to prevent metabolic bone disease. Dust their food with calcium powder regularly, and also use a vitamin supplement occasionally.

Feeding Schedule

The ratio of protein to vegetables changes as they grow. Here’s a simple guide to follow.

Age Group	Insects (Protein)	Vegetables & Greens	Fruits	Frequency
Hatchlings (0-6 months)	80% (Crickets, roaches, worms)	20% (Leafy greens, squash)	Occasional (once a week)	Insects 2-3 times a day, veggies offered daily
Juveniles (6-12 months)	60-70% (Crickets, roaches, worms)	30-40% (More greens, mixed veggies)	Occasional (twice a week)	Insects once a day, veggies offered daily
Adults (12 months+)	20-30% (Superworms, roaches, crickets)	70-80% (Lots of greens, bell peppers)	Occasional (once a week)	Insects 2-3 times a week, veggies offered daily

Make sure the food is appropriately sized for your dragon. As a rule, don’t feed them anything bigger than the space between their eyes to avoid choking.

Safe Vegetables & Greens For Bearded Dragons

Here’s a handy table of safe vegetables and greens that are great for bearded dragons:

Vegetables & Greens	Nutritional Benefits	How Often to Feed
Collard Greens	High in calcium, fiber, and vitamins	Daily
Mustard Greens	Rich in calcium and vitamin A	Daily
Dandelion Greens	Great source of calcium and vitamin K	Daily
Kale	High in vitamin C, moderate calcium	2-3 times per week
Turnip Greens	Rich in calcium and vitamins A, C	Daily
Squash (Butternut, Acorn)	High in fiber and vitamin A	Daily
Bell Peppers	Vitamin C, antioxidants	2-3 times per week
Carrots	Rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene	1-2 times per week
Cucumber	Hydrating, low in nutrients	Occasionally (once a week)
Zucchini	Hydrating, low in nutrients	Occasionally (once a week)
Bok Choy	Good source of calcium and vitamin A	2-3 times per week
Endive	High in fiber, good for digestion	Daily
Cilantro	High in antioxidants, mild calcium	Daily
Parsley	Rich in vitamin K and antioxidants	Occasionally (once a week)
Pumpkin	High in fiber and vitamin A	2-3 times per week

This variety of veggies ensures your bearded dragon gets a balanced diet rich in calcium, vitamins, and hydration. Just avoid feeding spinach, iceberg lettuce, and rhubarb as they can cause issues.

Discover more cool facts about Bearded Dragon with this detailed post! Is Cantaloupe Safe for Your Bearded Dragon?

What Kind Of Salad Can You Give Your Bearded Dragon?

Bearded dragons love a good salad, and it’s a great way to keep them healthy! You can mix various greens and veggies to create a nutritious and tasty salad for your beardie. The key is to use safe, high-calcium greens and veggies with occasional treats of fruits.

Example Beardie Salad:

1. Base Greens (70-80%)

Choose one or two of these:

• Collard greens
• Mustard greens
• Dandelion greens
• Turnip greens
• Endive
• Kale (in moderation)

2. Veggies (20-30%)

Add variety with these colorful options:

• Butternut squash (shredded)
• Bell peppers (finely chopped)
• Carrots (grated)
• Zucchini (shredded)
• Cucumber (small pieces)

3. Fruits (Occasional Treats)

Add a small amount for flavor (about once a week):

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Mango (tiny pieces)
• Apples (without seeds, finely chopped)

Salad Tip:

Make sure the pieces are small enough to fit in their mouths, and always wash everything thoroughly. You can lightly sprinkle calcium powder over the salad a few times a week.

This kind of salad offers a great balance of nutrients and will keep your beardie happy and healthy!

What Fruits Can You Give Your Bearded Dragons?

While fruits should only make up a small part of a bearded dragon’s diet due to their high sugar content, they can still enjoy them as occasional treats. Here’s a table of safe fruits for bearded dragons, along with their benefits and how often to feed them.

Fruit	Nutritional Benefits	How Often to Feed
Strawberries	High in vitamin C and antioxidants	1-2 times per week
Blueberries	Rich in antioxidants and vitamin K	1-2 times per week
Mango	High in vitamins A and C, fiber	1-2 times per week
Apples	Vitamin C, fiber (remove seeds)	1-2 times per week
Papaya	Rich in vitamin C and calcium	1-2 times per week
Pears	Good source of fiber and vitamin C	1-2 times per week
Watermelon	Hydrating, contains vitamin C and A	Occasionally (once every two weeks)
Peaches	Vitamin C, fiber	Occasionally (once every two weeks)
Raspberries	Rich in antioxidants, low sugar	Occasionally (once every two weeks)
Pineapple	High in vitamin C and bromelain (small amounts)	Occasionally (once every two weeks)
Grapes	Contains vitamins C and K (cut in small pieces)	Occasionally (once every two weeks)
Bananas	Potassium, but high in sugar and phosphorus	Rarely (once a month)
Cherries	Vitamin C, but high in sugar (remove pit)	Rarely (once a month)

Hungry for knowledge about Bearded Dragon? We’ve got you covered in this article. You Won’t Believe What Kale Does to Your Bearded Dragon’s Health!

What meat can bearded dragons eat?

While bearded dragons are omnivores, they primarily get their protein from insects in captivity. However, some human meats can be given to them in small amounts, but it’s not ideal to make this a regular part of their diet. Most of their protein should come from live insects, which are easier for them to digest.

If you do offer human food meat occasionally, here are some options:

Safe Human Meat for Bearded Dragons:

Cooked Chicken (Plain, Unseasoned)

Only offer small, cooked pieces (boiled or grilled with no seasoning). Chicken is very lean, but it’s not something dragons would naturally eat, so it should be given very sparingly.

Cooked Turkey (Plain, Unseasoned)

Similar to chicken, you can offer very small bits of cooked turkey, but it should be unseasoned and without skin or fat.

Guidelines for Feeding Meat:

• Cooked, Unseasoned: Always offer plain, cooked meat without seasoning, salt, or oils.
• Small Quantities Only: Give only small amounts and on rare occasions, as too much animal protein can stress their kidneys.

Why Meat Isn’t Ideal:

Bearded dragons are better suited to digest insects like crickets and roaches. Animal meats are too rich in fat and phosphorus, which can lead to health issues if offered too frequently. Stick to insects as their main protein source and reserve any human meat for an occasional treat or in emergencies when live food isn’t available.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Fish?

No, bearded dragons should not eat fish.

Fish, whether raw or cooked, isn’t part of a bearded dragon’s natural diet and can cause several issues:

Why Fish is Not Safe:

1. High in Parasites and Bacteria: Raw fish can carry harmful parasites and bacteria that could make your dragon sick.
2. Imbalance in Nutrients: Fish contains high levels of phosphorus, which can interfere with calcium absorption. Bearded dragons need a high-calcium diet, and too much phosphorus can lead to metabolic bone disease.
3. Hard to Digest: Fish, especially with bones, is hard for bearded dragons to digest, and their digestive systems aren’t built to handle it.

Stick to their normal diet of insects and veggies, and avoid feeding them fish to keep them healthy!

Want to dive deeper into Bearded Dragon? This article has all the answers! Can Bearded Dragons Eat Grapes?

What human Foods Can Bearded Dragons can never Eat?

Human Food	Why It’s Harmful
Avocado	Contains oxalic acid, which is toxic and can lead to death.
Chocolate	Contains theobromine, which is poisonous to bearded dragons.
Onions & Garlic	Can cause digestive issues and damage red blood cells.
Dairy Products (Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Ice Cream)	Bearded dragons are lactose intolerant and can’t digest dairy, leading to severe digestive problems.
Bread & Wheat Products	Difficult to digest, with no nutritional value, and can cause choking or blockages.
Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Lemons, etc.)	Too acidic, causing stomach upset and digestive issues.
Processed Foods (Chips, Crackers, etc.)	High in salt, fats, and additives, harmful and provide no nutrition.
Raw Meat	Carries bacteria like salmonella and is difficult for bearded dragons to digest.
Rhubarb	High in oxalic acid, which can cause kidney failure and be fatal.
Ice Cream	Contains lactose, sugar, and fat, all of which can lead to digestive issues and obesity.

Can Bearded Dragon Eat Pizza?

You might be tempted to share a small slice of pizza with your bearded dragon, just to see their reaction. But that would be a mistake! Bearded dragons can’t eat pizza because they can’t digest it properly. The cheese, bread, and seasonings are all difficult for them to process, and it’s simply not healthy for them.

Can Bearded Dragons Have Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter might seem like a good source of protein and calcium for your bearded dragon, but it’s actually a bad choice. It’s high in fat, sugar, and salt, which can harm your beardie. Plus, it can even cause allergic reactions. So, peanut butter is a no-go for bearded dragons.

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Honey?

While honey isn’t toxic to bearded dragons, it’s not the healthiest option either. It’s loaded with sugar, which isn’t good for them. If you really want to give your beardie a taste of honey, it’s better to dilute it in warm water. But be aware—many bearded dragons don’t even like the taste of honey, so always check if they enjoy it before giving them more.